“Fine.” Krill turned the corner and stopped, placing her behind him. “Turner, what are you doing here in the private quarters of our king?”

  Cassidy shivered as she peeked around Krill. Then she focused on Turner’s hand.

  Someone touched her shoulder and Cassidy spun around to kick the invader in the chest.

  Luckily, Malachi stepped aside before she made contact but, in the commotion, Turner attacked Krill. Malachi, recovering quickly from his evasive maneuver, joined his mate in facing off against Turner.

  Between one blink and the next, another man appeared as well. He was almost identical to Xfra except for markings on his skin something like tattoos but a little higher than his skin. The one on his head seemed to raise its head and stare at her.

  Then Turner was gone and Xfra appeared next to Krill. “Krill, are you okay?” Cassidy asked. “Do you know this man?”

  “I’m fine,” he said. “This is Surne, and I thanked him for helping us and asked what brings him to this planet.”

  “Did he tell you why he’s here?”

  “Not yet.”

  Malachi lifted her into his arms again.

  “You know I have two legs and can walk,” she protested.

  “I know you can walk, but I like holding my woman.” He kissed her nose and took a step forward, but the stranger blocked his path. “Xfra, what is going on?”

  “This is Surne. He is from my world, but is also very ancient. That need you had to explore the other part of the city, Cassidy, well it might have been partly because of Surne. He has been here before.” With that Xfra was gone.

  “Okay, what the hell did that mean? You know I’m not really good at puzzles.” Cassidy glanced at Surne. The tattoo she thought had moved was no longer sitting on top of Surne’s head. “Wow.”

  “You will not be able to speak with Muc. He is not from this world,” Surne informed her.

  “Muc. What kind of name is that, and what did Xfra mean when he left?” Cassidy asked. “You were there when Cassidy was a child, searching for whatever it is everyone is looking for?” Malachi added.

  “Yes. I wasn’t going to allow those things to touch her again. Just like I wasn’t going to allow that Turner to hurt Krill.”

  Krill stood straight. “I could have protected myself and my mates against him.”

  “Of course you could have, but why would I allow this thing to touch what is mine?”

  Cassidy thought for sure the air had been sucked out of the hallway as all three of them said at the same time. “What?”

  His words rang in her head, and for a second Cassidy could only stare and then her gaze jumped down to his crotch, but she couldn’t tell anything by the garment he wore. “Could have had tight jeans on or leather pants,” she mumbled before slapping her hand over her mouth. “Shit.”

  “You wish to see me?” he asked, and his pants disappeared.

  “Oh my freaking…”

  “Close your mouth, Cassidy,” Malachi said, setting her on her feet. “Please put your clothes on, Surne. Are you saying you are our mate? We are your mate?”

  Surne frowned. “I just told you that you were mine. Weren’t you going to breed our female when you returned to the room? Why do I need clothes on?”

  “Breed?” Cassidy saw red. “Listen here you giant, two cock whatever you are. I am not a breeder. They were hoping to have sex with me. But the three of you can all go rut on yourselves.”

  The air around them swirled, lifting the men out of her way as she marched down the tunnel to her room. “Breed her, my fucking ass!” she growled and entered her room to see the candles and flowers all around. They even had one of her favorite songs on. Too bad for them she was so furious.

  * * *

  Malachi watched as their mate stomped away from them as he brushed his ass off after her little fit.

  “Does our woman always do this when she gets angry? And what did I say to make her angry?” Surne queried.

  “One, do not say breed or breeder around our woman or any woman around here. You are liable to get your cocks served up to you in a frying pan,” Malachi informed him in a terse tone.

  “It looks like our special hour isn’t going to happen now. We might as well get changed and use the remaining time to try to calm down Cass,” Krill said. “And, Surne, touching, sex, loving our female is what we were going to do. You might want to learn the words of this world…”

  Surne closed his eyes for a moment then opened them again. “Hmm, I see my mistake. I have researched the subject. Where I came from, it was more of a job, an honor to get the female pregnant, as it was her pleasure to carry our children. I have much to learn, but I will make sure by tonight I am fully prepared with sexual practices to please all of you.”

  Malachi started toward the door. “Right now, we have a woman to corral and apologize to. Plus, we need to change clothes since she is still bound to go searching in this old city.”

  Krill asked, “If you have so much power, can’t you and Xfra find this thing that Cassidy and these things are looking for?”

  “This thing is called the Tri, no it’s not the trident that humans tell of in their myths, but close. It belonged to a civilization that lived over twenty thousand years ago, way before even my time. My people have been learning of these Wisteria individuals,” Surne said.

  They stepped into Cassidy’s quarters as she was slipping on hiking boots. “We will be changed in a moment,” Malachi told her, and he and Krill donned sweaters and jeans.

  “Much better,” she told them.

  “I owe you an apology,” Surne said. “I did not mean to hurt you or sound…”

  “Crass, and I’ll let it slide since you are not from here. But if you think you are going to touch me, Mr. Alien, with the only thought of producing children, you can turn around and go back to where you came from. My mates want to be partners in this family, and sex is not just about having babies.

  “Maybe what they did to me as a child is drawing him here. I mean, think of it. If he and I were to produce a child, the powers he has might be given to the child. If I have a girl…” Cassidy waved her hands getting a little frustrated. “What if Nessa didn’t have enough of what they wanted, so they let her go? Hell, they could want us all down there together to do something?”

  “Stop.” Malachi sat on the bed and took her hands into his. “Why are you so nervous and cold?” he frowned, rubbing her hands. “When was the last time you fed, Cassidy?”

  She ducked her head. “I don’t remember. Maybe right before we all went up top? A few days ago.”

  Malachi placed his hand under her chin and applied pressure. “Look at me.” He waited until she looked up. “You can’t go days without feeding. Sure, we can feed on human food and it helps, but our bodies have to have blood almost every day. You are very lucky you didn’t go into a blood thirst.”

  Surne knelt down next to them. “I know I have a lot to learn. I’ve not been around people much. When you get as old as I am, well, I’m afraid you just withdraw into yourself. I would very much appreciate it if all three of you help guide me through this being a family.” He reached up and cupped Cassidy’s cheek. “You are a very beautiful woman, Cassidy, but our mate Malachi is right, you must take care of yourself. Feed her, Malachi, while I speak with Krill.”

  Malachi frowned as Surne followed Krill into the other room.

  “What’s wrong?” Cassidy asked.

  “Nothing. I guess we are all going to have to test the waters on how our family will function.” Malachi removed his shirt and placed Cassidy in his lap. He kissed the top of her head. “Feed, my Little Whirlwind.”

  She kissed his chest right above his heart then licked the skin, as if tasting him. His cock, already hard just being near her, threatened to explode in his pants. “Cassidy,” Malachi said.

  She sank her fangs into him, drinking

  Malachi cupped her breast. It filled his palm.

  He leaned down and nipped her ear. “Tonight, my fine lady, you will have that special night. I promise.”

  Cassidy looked up at him as she sealed the holes in his chest. “There is no need to rush this, is there?” she asked, placing a kiss on the spot where she had drunk from him. Already, her color was coming back, and her hands were warming.

  “No, but I have to admit, sleeping with you in my arms last night was one of the most painful experiences I’ve had for a very long time.”

  Cassidy patted his chest. “You poor thing.”

  Krill and Surne came into the room just then, and Malachi noticed a new marking that trailed from Krill’s neck down his arm.

  Malachi set Cassidy aside and moved to trace the markings. “I don’t understand.”

  “As Xfra informed you, I am very old. Even among my people, who are called, Zodzac. At one time we had our own planet, but since it died, we’ve all drifted from place to place. Most of the time, we do not even take form, but when we do, we each have markings. You have not seen Xfra’s markings because they are private. Each of our families carries their own markings. As you see, I have many, but Krill now bears our family marking.”

  “You had sex that quick? Are all of us going to be marked?” Cassidy asked.

  No, we did not have sex yet. Krill and I exchanged blood, sort of like how you fed from Malachi.”

  “He is definitely our mate.” Krill frowned. “Taking Surne into me, I also gained some of what he is, but wouldn’t that be a little dangerous for Cass? Maybe they are waiting for this?”

  “Once you are marked, there is no way those things can touch you. This does not mean they won’t try, but if anyone comes close to my unit-family to harm them…” Surne shrugged. “They perish, burn.”

  “That’s why you exchanged first with Krill, isn’t it? Turner was going to jump on Krill…” Cassidy said.

  “No one touches mine.” The room shook, and Surne’s eyes went from a white color to a burning red in an instant.

  “He had the same reaction earlier,” Krill said.

  Cassidy left Surne’s side and made her way to the door, but he appeared in front of her. “The only way we leave this room to go treasure hunting as you call it, is if we exchange here and now.”

  Chapter Eleven

  “Excuse me?” Cassidy glared at the big man in front of her. “Where the hell do you get off telling me I can’t go do anything until you mark me? Get out of the way.”

  “No,” he said, crossing his arms. “I do believe they have a custom on Earth called spanking that I might employ this day,” Surne said.

  “You can’t spank me. You don’t know me,” Cassidy growled.

  The big man leaned over until his nose touched hers. “This is another way for each of us to get to know each other and protect you. With others from my world here, I need to mark you each before we leave this room.”

  Cassidy stared at the giant man and knew that this was important to him. “What do I have to do?”

  He held out his hand and she slid hers into his much larger one. Oh yeah, she was going to find out just how big this man was, and then there is the fact the man had two damn cocks. How the hell was that going to work out?

  “No, you don’t have to do anything with my members, even though I wouldn’t mind. I’ve never had anyone on their knees, sucking on me before, but from the pictures I’ve seen in all three of your heads, we will definitely be trying this.” He pulled her into his arms and bent her back. Her sweater and bra disappeared, leaving her naked from the waist up. “I have to say you are beautiful, my little one.” He lowered his head and latched onto her nipple.

  No one had ever sucked on her beasts like this, but then she felt the teeth, not two but several, sink into her skin. Cassidy reached up and grabbed onto Surne as waves and waves of pleasure rippled through her body. This was not an orgasm, but more.

  Thankfully, he held her tight because there was no way her legs would hold her, she was shaking so bad. Her toes were curled, her skin clammy as she cried out, waiting for it to end. But pleasure soon turned into an intense heat all around her breasts, so much so, she tried to reach up to touch them, but Surne blocked her hands and lifted his head, releasing her. “Drink, my little one.” He put pressure on the back of her head, guiding her to his chest.

  His eyes were now orange with sparks of red flickering through them. “I knew you were special,” he said, as she sank her fangs into his chest. “Do not wear that undergarment you had on earlier. Your skin will be tender.”

  Sealing the holes in his chest, Cassidy looked back up at him right before his mouth covered hers. His kiss was a matter of exploring at first. His tongue slid into her, rubbing, touching, but soon, his dancing tongue guided hers, loving her.

  As he broke the kiss, and straightened, still holding onto her. “Thank you, my little one, and I do like this kissing very much.”

  She shook her head. “You’ve never kissed?” Cassidy asked, looking down at her chest. “Wow,” she squeaked and moved to the mirror on her dresser.

  Each breast was now covered in some form of markings, but they were colorful, different shapes, and almost like the one on top of Surne’s head. He came to stand behind her.

  “You have the female marking of my Fire Finch, Muc,” he told her.

  “Stunning, and of what importance is this Fire Finch that she carries this marking?” Malachi asked.

  “That is a long story, one for another time, but I will tell you this. The Fire Finch is sort of like a spirit animal. Yes, it comes to life, but its life is tied to the host in a symbiotic relationship. They come from a world like your sun, and they thrive on our body heat. Soon, each of you will have your own Fire Finch, but not everyone carries one.”

  “I’m taking it that the Fire Finch is almost like a ranking? Like the most powerful only have them? But Xfra does not have one. At least that I know of,” Malachi said.

  “He wouldn’t. He’s young yet and hasn’t been claimed yet,” Surne said.

  Cassidy watched the two men stare at each other, neither one flinching. Each was very powerful in his own way, but in the end, Surne wrapped his arm around Malachi.

  Malachi’s shirt disappeared.

  “I accept your leadership in this family, Malachi,” Surne said. “I am old and maybe don’t belong in your world, but I do belong in your family.”

  Malachi ran his finger down Surne’s cheek. “You do belong, next to each of us. We’ll all show you the way, Surne. Feed from me, give me your mark, but be prepared to carry mine soon.”

  Surne lowered his head and sank his teeth into him.

  Cassidy had never seen a hotter thing. “Get dressed, my whirlwind, we have company coming,” Malachi said as Krill came up behind her, placing a kiss on her shoulder and handing her the sweater she had that disappeared earlier.

  “You do know I’m going to be flopping in the wind here with no bra. Kind of big to go without.” She pulled the sweater on and frowned. “Nope, need a different one.” Cassidy went into her walk-in closet and pulled down a hoodie.

  “Aren’t you going to be a bit warm in that?” Krill asked.

  “Nope, the older part of the city has become leaky and drafty. That is another thing I wanted to talk to you about. We have other parts of our city that are just as old, and they are not leaking and don’t look as rough as this side. Why is it falling apart so quickly?” she asked, sliding on her hoodie.

  “If I’m not mistaken, it was not made of the same material as our walls.” Krill held out his hand and she slid hers into it. “You are the most beautiful woman. I used to watch you when I’d come home, and it hurt like hell to see you with your ex, but I was bound to give you that time.” Krill kissed the top of her head.

  “I wish you hadn’t,” Cassidy admitted, resting her head on his chest. “In the beginning, there were good times. The birth of the boys, finding Nessa, but after a few years, things started to go downhill.

  “I should have left sooner, but I stayed for the children, at least until he found his true mate. In a way it was a relief, but boy was Dad pissed, and he couldn’t do anything about it, since it was his true mate.” Cassidy laughed. “But Dad did get his revenge in the end. Till this day, the idiot will not go near the water. Swimming is out, too, except for pools, the boys tell me. It would seem the fishes know how much my father hates him.”

  Krill threw his head back and laughed. “I’ll have to make sure to stay on his good side, then.”

  “We all will,” Malachi said, leaning against the doorframe. Surne’s mark ran from Malachi’s chest all the way up his right arm to the right side of his head. Even his face had been marked.

  “Wow,” Cassidy said, tracing the pattern on his cheek. “This is impressive.”

  “Malachi is a true leader, hence the marking,” Surne informed them. “Malachi has also pulled in part of my gifts. Where you have enhanced each of your gifts, Malachi has acquired much more. This is new to me also. I wouldn’t be surprised if he even acquires a Fire Finch someday.”

  I knew it, but I have to say I am impressed.” Krill turned his head. “Nessa comes with your father, the king, and her mate.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Malachi stood back with Surne as Cassidy greeted Hugh and Nessa. He too was shocked at what had happened when Surne fed from him. Sure, Malachi knew he had leadership-alpha tendencies, but after drinking from Surne and vice versa, those traits were enhanced ten times.

  Not only could he now feel-read each of his mates, his skin tingled with the gift Surne had given him. Surne had told him, if one of his kind was not the leader of their group, certain gifts would be given to the one who was. Cassidy’s father, Hugh and Sean moved toward them.

  “Daddy, Sean, I’d like to introduce you to Surne, my third mate.” Cassidy winked at them.

  Malachi laughed. “You know damn well that you are just as attracted to him as I am and more.”